Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common side effect of an allogeneic bone marrow or cord blood transplant. An allogeneic transplant uses blood-forming cells donated by a family member, unrelated donor or cord blood unit. In GvHD, the immune cells from the donated marrow or cord blood (the graft) attack the body of the transplant patient (the host). GvHD occurs when a donor's immune cells (known as T cells) attack cells in the recipient's body. Selecting a closely matched donor or cord blood unit can help reduce the risk of getting GvHD. However, when GvHD appears, it is important to begin treatment as early as possible for the best results. For both acute and chronic GvHD, the main treatment is to give steroids that weaken the immune system. Researchers are working to find other ways to treat GvHD, including using extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). This program will discuss the results of treating chronic GvHD with extracorporeal photopheresis.

Hematologists, oncologists, and other medical professionals who are involved in allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation and who treat graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).

 

At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants should be better able to:

 

 

Explain the prevalence of GvHD in transplant patients.

Debate the possible uses of extracorporeal photopheresis in the treatment of chronic GvHD.*

Apply the options for treating low body-weight patients with GvHD.

 

* GvHD is currently not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an indication for the treatment under discussion.

Release date: November, 2006
Expiration date: November, 2007
Estimated time to complete this activity: 1 hour

For questions regarding the content of this activity, contact the accredited provider for this CME/CE activity: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . For technical assistance, contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Dr. Paul J. Shaugnessy
Clinical Director
Texas Transplant Institute

 

Dr. Sunil Abhyankar
Associate Professor of Medicine, Univ. of MO
Kansas City Cancer Center

 

Dr. David A. Jacobsohn
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Children's Memorial Hospital

 

The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

 

The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit&trade. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. In order to receive credit, participants must score at least 70% on the post test and submit it along with the credit application and evaluation form to the address/fax number indicated. Documentation of credit will be mailed within 4 to 6 weeks following receipt of this documentation.

This activity is sponsored by The Medical College of Wisconsin.

 

Support for this program has been provided by an educational grant from Therakos.

 

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. For additional information about approved uses, including approved indications, contraindications, and warnings, please refer to the prescribing information for each product, or consult the Physician's Desk Reference.

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